1997 Jeep Wrangler Battery Meter

[Bkazoo]

I own a 1997 Wrangler SE, and the battery meter, within the last couple of weeks has been spiking to full power, then reverting back to its middle position.
This happened last week, so I pulled over and turned the car off, only to have a completely dead battrey.
I replaced the old factory installed battrey with a new one and the car ran great for a week or so.
This morning it did the same thing again, reverted back to its middle position and then spiked permenantly at the full "19" meter position.

I parked the car, turned it off, and started it again with no problem.

Any ideas as to what is making this happen, alternator problems perhaps?? What kind of damage am I going to do if I drive with a "spiked" battrey meter

Thanks for your help!

[Bkazoo]

Question. Help please

[windywinters]

I would remove the alternator and have it tested. I'm suspecting that the internal regulator is bad. I would do this right away as that " spiking " could eventually dmage sensitive components ( computer, ignition module ) .

[jrfshr]

I had the same problem this week. Wouldnt start due to a dead battery, then while running (on the dead battery) the voltage guage would sometimes jump and peg at top for awhile, then come back to normal.

I'd never seen one go high like that. Made me panic...I was imagining toasted ECUs. I cleaned and reconnected all my grounds and replaced the battery. Had the store run a Alternator check, and it seemed to be putting out consistent voltage within specs. Seems ok now, it hasn't done it since the fix a couple of days ago. But you said it did it again a week or so later..I'm waiting.

Whatever became of your issue?? Did it go away? Did you have to replace the alternator (which as I understand it has an internal voltage regulator). Hope it was just a quirk of the dead battery...we'll see. Any feedback would be appreciated.